The 20th Century Limited

You might wonder why two railroads as fiercely competitive as the Pennsylvania and the New York Central might agree to streamline their flagship trains simultaneously, with both trains making their debut on the same day: June 6, 1938. Perhaps one answer lies in the fact that, at the time, both railroads leased their sleeping cars from the Pullman company, and the new equipment for both trains was to come from Pullman-Standard. By placing their orders jointly they were able to take advantage of economies of scale and standardization; both sets of equipment would utilize similar mechanicals and floorplans. It was the industrial designers—Raymond Loewy for the Pennsy, Henry Dreyfuss for the Central—which gave the trains their individual personalities.

Parlor, Sleeping and Dining Car Service Westbound—

No. 25—Twentieth Century Limited—Daily.
Completely Air Conditioned—Streamlined.
via New York Central.

Pullman Cars only—No Coach passengers—Special Service Charge.

Lounge Car—New York to Chicago—Buffet

Obs. Sleeping Car—New York to Chicago—Master Room—Bedroom—Buffet.

Sleeping Cars—New York to Chicago—Roomette (2)—Roomette and Bedroom (2).

New York to Chicago—Compartment Bedroom, Drawing Room (3) and Double Bedroom.

Dining Cars—New York to Chicago.

Parlor, Sleeping and Dining Car Service Eastbound—

No. 26—Twentieth Century Limited—Daily
Completely Air Conditioned.—Streamlined.
via New York Central.

Pullman Cars only.—No Coach passengers carried.—Special Service Charge.

Lounge Car—Chicago to New York—Buffet.

Obs. Sleeping Car—Chicago to New York—Master Room—Bedroom—Buffet.

Sleeping Cars—Chicago to New York—Compartment Bedroom, Drawing Room (3) and Double Bedroom.

Chicago to New York—Roomette (2) and Roomette Bedroom (2).

Dining Car—Chicago to New York.

Both Loewy and Dreyfuss had well earned their outstanding reputations. However, one measure of their results comes from passengers "voting with their feet"; the Broadway's ridership after streamlining remained flat, while the 1938 20th Century Limited routinely ran in two sections to accommodate demand.

25	Train Number					26
Daily		Miles		Services		Daily
5 00P	Dp	0.0	New York, NY (Grand Central Tml.) (ET)	T C	Ar	8 00A
R 5 46P		32.7	Harmon, NY	T C		D 7 00A
R 7 39P		142.2	Albany, NY	T C		D 5 02A
R10 05P		289.6	Syracuse, NY	T C
R12 25A		435.9	Buffalo, NY (Central Terminal)	T C
		727.6	Toledo, OH (ET)	C		R 7 30P
D 7 46A		954.5	Chicago, IL (Englewood Sta.) (CT)	T		R 3 10P
8 00A	Ar	961.2	Chicago, IL (La Salle St. Sta.) (CT)	T C	Dp	3 00P

From the pages of the Official Guide, September 1938

New York Central System
August, 1938

From the pages of the Official Guide, September 1938

The 20th Century Limited

New York Central System August, 1938

New York Central System
August, 1938